Antenna for use with an automobile radio receiver



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ANTENNA FOR USE WITH AN AUTOMOBILE RADIO RECEIVER f Paga 5. Mmm

P. L. MANN Original Filed July ll, 1932 mAH-@ Sf"? Aug 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE ANTENNA FOR USE WITH AN AUTOMOBILE RADIO RECEIVER Paul L. Mann, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Consolidated Wire and Associated Corporations, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original application July 11, 1932, Serial No. 621,842. Divided and this application July 5,

1934, Serial No. 733,828

4 Claims.

My invention relates in general to a radio antenna, and more in particular to an antenna for use with an automobile radio receiver.

In an automobile radio receiver installation, some difficulty is encountered in providing the proper antenna system. Interference from motor noises, and the ignition system must be suppressed or eliminated. The size of the car limits the length of the antenna, and at the same time provides a problem in concealing the same so there will be no unsightly appearance resulting from its installation. The antenna must also be installed so that it will not ground on the frame of the car to which the auto storage battery is grounded, and which battery is also used as the A supply for the radio set.

The present application is a division of my parent application, Serial No. 621,842, filed July 11, 1932, Patent No. 1,971,303, August 21, 1934, and the present application is directed more particularly to the yieldingly suspended type of antenna as distinguishing from the self supporting or stili type of car roof antenna of the parent case.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved antenna.

It is a further object to provide a compact automobile radio receiver antenna which is simple to install and presents no unsi-ghtliness to mar the appearance of the automobile in which it is mounted.

A further object is to provide an antenna which is groundproof.

A further object is to provide an antenna system of high capacity yet oifering selectivity and volume.

It is also an object to provide an antenna which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, yet sturdy and permanent.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing an embodiment of my invention as mounted underneath the chassis of an automobile and extending from axle to axle.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section of the antenna of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view partly in section of another embodiment of the invention.

4 Figi 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 0f Fig.

(Cl. Z50-33) Fig. 6 is a perspective View partly in section of a further embodiment.

In accomplishing the invention, I provide a casing in which a strip of thin sheet metal is mounted, which casing is adapted to be mounted on the car, with a Wire lead extending from the sheet metal through the casing and to the radio set.

The antenna illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a waterproof fabricoid casing II, composing a single piece of fabric folded over, and having 10 the lower edge I2, as illustrated in Fig. 3, folded over and held by stitching I3. The casing II is also stitched at I4 along the upper edge.

A metal strip I6 of thin sheet copper or cold rolled steel lits snugly into a pocket II formed in 15 the casing by running a stitching I8 adjacent the lower edge, and a stitching I9 adjacent the upper edge. An insulated wire 2I is soldered to the metal strip I6 at 22 and when the strip is slipped into the pocket I 1, the wire is brought 20 through a channel formed by the stitching I3 and I8 and out through an eyeleted hole 23. The eyelet is of a diameter such that it grips the insulation on the wire and further seals the casing' against moisture. and foreign substances. The 25 wire 2| connects the antenna to the radio set when the former is mounted on the car. After the strip I6 is in place in the casing, the ends are sewed up and cloth straps 23 and 24 are secured to the ends of the casing by riveting or, 30 preferably, stitching, with said straps Waterproofed and adapted to be attached to the axles 26 and 21 of the car, to securely mount the antenna thereunder.

This particular embodiment provides a strong, 35- waterproof casing for the antenna proper, which may be secured to the chassis of the car as stated, and require no further attention Whatever. The sturdy assembly insures against breaks or tears, thus assuring a groundproof installation which is 40 essential to the proper operation of the radio set, and is flexible so that there will be no cracking or breaking.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. This particular antenna 45 assembly is also adapted for installation under an automobile and comprises a Water-proof fabricoid casing 4I stitched along the top at 42 and at the bottom at 43 to fo-rm a pocket 44. The edges are further reinforced and protected by a water- 50 proof tape 46 stitched around the edge after the pocket is completely closed. A metal strip 4'I of thin copper sheet or cold rolled steel is secured to a heavy piece of cardboard, or corrugated paper 48. This antenna proper is secured as 55 noted by riveting, eyeleting or in any desirable manner. Inasmuch as the thin metal strip 41 is stiff and retains its shape, a very few eyelets 49 will be suicient to hold it in place on the paper. The metal strip 41 is from one to two inches in width and is looped back and forth on the paper as illustrated in Fig. 4, to cover as large an area for reception of radio waves as possible, and at the same time have the various loops separated from one another. The insulated wire 5| for connecting the antenna with the radio set is soldered tc the metal strip 41 at 52 looped through a hole inthe cardboard 48 and, when the latter assembly is inserted in the pocket 44, the wire 5I extends out of the casing through an eyelet 53.

A second cardboard 54 cut slightly larger than the mounting 48 slips snugly into the pocket 44 and is adapted to lie against the face of the antenna proper, serving as insulation and also tending to stiffen the entire assembly.

This particular embodiment is adapted to be"l suspended beneath a trunk carrier o gastanl:- in

the rear of the car, or beneath any part of the chassis as to allow it to swing free of the road. After the mounting 48 and paper 54 are in place in the pocket 44, the wire 53 is brought out as noted above, the end is stitched, and the tape 46 secured around the top edge and ends. A tape 55 is stitched along the lower edge in a manner so as to leave a channel 56 in which is placed rubber tubing 51.` This tubing serves as a buier to protect the lower edge of the antenna should the automibile be driven over roads where the center is considerably higher than the tracks in which the wheels travel, and the antenna might drag along this center portion. Straps 58 are extended through eyelets 59 punched through both faces of the casing 4| and the paper 54 with said straps adapted for use in attaching the antenna beneath the car.

A further embodiment of the invention is i1- lustrated in Fig. 6, in Which a metal strip 6l similar to strip 41 is mounted in the same manner on a heavy cardboard 62. This embodiment is adapted particularly to be mounted on the inside of the roof of the car. The cardboard mounting is placed within a pocket formed by a cloth material 63 chosen to match the material on the roof of thecar, which cloth 63 covers the face of the cardboard 62 opposite to that on which the strip 6l is mounted, laps over the edge of a second cardboard 64, and is secured thereto by gummed paper 66 or a similar expedient. After the mounting 62 is placed in the pocket, it is mounted inside or outside of the automobile. The particular assembly also insures against grounding to the frame or body of the car,` and provides a source of reception of radio waves for maximum operating eiliciency of the radio set. 5 Furthermore, the simple assembly makes possible an inexpensive antenna, yet one with the desired permanency.

It will be understood that the nature and embodiments of the invention herein described and 10 illustrated are merely convenient and useful forms of the invention, and that many changes and modications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a vehicle of a radio set antenna beneath `the under side of the vehicle, an insulating cover for said antenna including a single sheet `of waterproof material wrapped around said antenna and secured closed,

a lead-in wire connectedwith said antenna and passing through a hole in said cover, means for i sealing said hole around said wire, and yieldable means secured to said cover and suspending the antenna from the vehicle.

2. The combination with a vehicle of a radio set antenna beneath the under side of the vehicle, an insulating cover for said antenna including a single sheet of Waterproof material wrapped around said antenna and secured closed, a leadin wire connected with said antenna and passing through a hole in said cover, means for sealing said hole around said Wire, and yieldable means secured to said cover and suspending the antenna from the vehicle, said antenna being positioned in a pocket formed by stitching through said cover.

3. 'I'he combination with a vehicle of a radio set antenna beneath the under side of the vehicle, an insulating cover for said antenna including a 40 single sheet of waterproof material Wrapped around said antenna and secured closed, a leadin wire connected with said antennaand passing through a hole in said cover, means for sealing` said hole around said wire, and yieldable means secured to said cover and supending the antenna from the vehicle, said antenna being positioned in a pocket formed by stitching through said cover, and said lead-in passing through a channel formed between the pocket and the edge of the cover.

4. The combination with a vehicle, of a radio set antenna beneath the under side of the vehicle, and a yieldable insulating means suspending the antenna from the vehicle, including tapes extending in opposite directions from said antenna. drawn substantially taut, and secured to remote parts of said vehicle.

PAUL L. MANN. 

